Prevention

Knowing how to prevent and control the spread of STIs/HIV and unplanned pregnancies will help you talk openly with your sexual partner(s) and be in control of your sexual health.

What are your prevention options?

Condoms & other latex barriers. Condoms and other latex and polyurethane barriers are still some of the best ways to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections when you are having oral, vaginal, and/or anal sex, and for any skin-to-skin sexual contact.

HIV PrEP. PrEP is a medication that works very well for preventing HIV and will ease your mind about having sex. Medicaid and most other insurance plans currently cover PrEP medication as well as routine sexually transmitted infection testing. Help is available if you are uninsured or if a co-pay or deductible is too high. For more information about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), please visit PrEP(pre-exposure).

Regular Testing. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have HIV or an sexually transmitted infection and need to get treatment.

Treatment. Seeking quick effective treatment for you and your partner(s) is also prevention. Being treated for a sexually transmitted infections stops reinfection and lessens your risk of getting other sexually transmitted infections and HIV. For more information on Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), please visit Expedited Partner Treatment (EPT). If you are not able to tell your partner(s) they may need testing and treatment, ask your health care provider about partner services: a way to get partners tested and treated, without using your name. For more information on Partner services, please visit Partner Services. To find a health care provider, please visit NYSDOH AIDS Institute Provider Directory.

Vaccinations for HPV and Hepatitis B. There are vaccines that prevent some sexually transmitted infections. Ask your provider about HPV, mpox, N. meningitidis, covid-19, and Hepatitis A and B shots.

Birth Control. If you are having sex and are concerned about pregnancy, ask your health care provider about birth control options. It's important to know that most birth control methods do not prevent HIV or sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are the only form of birth control that also protects against pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you are pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant, keep in mind you can get a sexually transmitted infection just like anyone else. Talk with your health care provider about getting tested during your pregnancy and talk with your partner(s) about their status to make sure they are not passing any sexually transmitted infections to you. sexually transmitted infections can cause issues with your pregnancy and can have serious health effects on your unborn baby, even months or years after your baby is born.

Masturbation. Touching yourself and others for sexual pleasure is a healthy part of sexuality. be sure to clean sex toys between use and use a new condom for any shared toy that is placed inside the body.

Remember, sexual health is about informed choices, safety, and respectful experiences.

The Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology offers resources to find tips on how to talk with your health care provider; speak openly with your sexual partner(s), and explore important sexual health topics which include: Prevention, Pleasure and Power, Knowing Yourself, Testing, Consent, Talking to providers and partners, information on sexually transmitted infections and Partner Services.

Questions? Contact us at stdc@health.ny.gov